Bible Lessons

On Kitten Creek: Searching for the Sacred

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On Kitten Creek: Searching for the Sacred, A Memoir by Nancy Swihart, Cladach Publishing, 185 pgs., $13.49, ISBN: 978-1-945099-02-1.

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On Kitten Creek was a very pleasant and surprising read for me. I found that I could relate to many of the author’s feelings and experiences. Ms. Swihart tells us how she had visions and plans about what she wanted to do, her job, ministry, and even the house she wanted as she and her family moved from California to Kansas. But God had other plans for her and her family, and of course God’s plans turned out to be much better. Her experiences are a testimony to all young people to have faith through life.

As Ms. Swihart shows us, it is hard to see the vision while you are young and traveling down the path of life. But the lesson is clear as one looks back, have faith and trust. On Kitten Creek is a good book for all ages, and an inspiration for those who might be struggling with life’s situations. Although it is a Christian book, it is not preachy and I found it a delight to read, more like a novel then a memoir.  Ms. Swihart is a gifted writer and the book is easy to read.

Stinkin Thinkin How to Change It

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Stinkin Thinkin: How to Change It, What Every Christian Should Know by Sarah Calhoun, Debbie McEvoy and Jennifer Radocci. Illustrations by Sarah Calhoun and Jennifer Radocci. 47 pgs, ISBN: 978-0-9859678-1-9, $16.95.

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This is a very interesting flip page book that is a good teaching aid for young adults as well as adults. It has 14 lessons that deal with the following: Mind Full of the Lord, Worry, Confession, Anger and Out of Control, Confession, Fear and More Worry, Selfishness, No Compassion for Others, Mind Full of Sins, Judge Yourself, Will He or Won’t He? Yes! Tell God Your Sins, Help Lennis Finish His Prayer, Mind Full of the Lord.

This is a very simple book that will help young people recognize and deal with their emotions. The main character is Lennis, and the pictures illustrate him experiencing all of the emotions listed above. One page shows pictures of Lennis, the back page provides questions about the picture to help the reader work through the emotions/situations that Lennis is experiencing. For example, one side of the Worry page has a box with the following questions: Identify the clues that show something bad has happened. What do you think the storm cloud represents? What is Lennis’ mind becoming full of instead of pleasing God and using His word? What does God tell us in this Bible verse about anxiety or worry? How can Lennis change his thinking back to pleasing God and using His Word? Next to the box is 1 Peter 5:7 “casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.”

This is an excellent book to use in youth ministries. A teacher can show the picture to the children while asking the questions on the flip page. It is also good for a parent to use at home with their children.